Qualitative test for a reducing sugar

• 1 - a beaker is 2/3 filled with water. The beaker is heated over a Bunsen burner. The water should be hot but not boiling
• 2 - dissolve some glucose solution in water in a test tube A
• 3 - Add equal volumes of Benedict's solution to the test tube. Fill a second tube B with just water and add equal volumes of Benedict's solution. This will act at the control for comparison
• 4 - Add the test tubes to the beaker of hot water
• 5 - note any colour changes that occur
• results - the colour of the solution in test tube A changes from blue to brick red. The colour of the solution in test tube B remains blue
• conclusion - Benedict's solution (blue) changes to brick red when heated in the presence of a reducing sugar
• a reducing sugar is any sugar that can reduce another atom or molecule (add electrons)